Motivational speaker prepares Jackson students for TAKS, life

On her own journey into the future, Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch recently reached out to tomorrow's future and invited Jackson Intermediate eighth graders to join her on the pathway to success.

After serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army for two decades and being recognized as the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the US Army Combat Support Field, Kickbusch decided to retire from the military to fill her mother's dying wish to support the children and families of America and Mexico by founding the Educational Achievement Services, Inc (EAS).

EAS is a group of highly-qualified and experienced trainers and professionals that provide services and products that develop leadership qualities. Through her 10 years as the president of EAS, Kickbusch has worked with more than one million children and their parents in 43 states to empower a new generation of Hispanic leaders.

As part of Jackson's GEAR UP program, Kickbusch was asked to speak to the students to help motivate them to do well on their upcoming TAKS tests. "This test is everything to you right now because it will follow you the rest of your life," she said.

Opening her speech with laughter and finishing it in tears, Kickbusch used her life as one of eight children to immigrants living in a two-bedroom house in Laredo to explain to the students that anyone is capable of accomplishing anything they put their minds to.

"My mother was a maid, but she didn't just clean toilets-she made them sparkle," Kickbusch said. "And that's what we're asking you to do with this TAKS test. Don't just go in there and take it. Make the most of your abilities, and do the best you possibly can."

During her speech, Kickbusch pointed out to the students that the United States is ranked 28th in the world in high school graduation. "We live in the richest country in the world," she said. "But this just goes to show that money doesn't always mean success."

Instead, Kickbusch told the students they could find wealth and success in family, culture and faith, as well as in respecting oneself and others and becoming lifelong learners.

"Growing up in my family and with my parents, I knew respect had to be a part of my life," said Kickbusch. "Money will never define me, as it should never define you. I'll always be proud of who I am and where I came from, and I'll never apologize for it. You, too, should always be proud of what's inside of each and every one of you."

Along with more than 300 of his peers and with tears in his eyes, eighth grader Erik Aguirre said Kickbusch's speech made him realize anything is possible as long as you work hard. He said her words will inspire him to attend college and pursue engineering.

"What she had to say inspired me a lot because she tells you her true life story about how she came from nothing," said Aguirre. "My family and I relate to her story in many ways. I will be the first person in my family to go to college, and I really want to succeed."

As she distributed hugs to individual students moved by her speech, Kickbusch encouraged them to believe in themselves and to work hard at any task in front of them for the sake of their country.

"You need to feel the importance of education because life is going to give you some tough times," she said. "But you need to think and make good choices because America needs you."

Along her journey, Kickbusch has earned numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four times), the Army Achievement Medal (twice), the 2005 National Mujer Award by the National Hispana Leadership Institute, the 2005 Society of Our Wise Women Award from Bennett College, the 2006 Hispanic Heritage Foundation Leadership Award and the National Image's Uniformed Services Award for significant contributions in the areas of civil/human rights, race relations, equal opportunity, human resources and public service.

While she said she is proud of them all, Kickbusch said there is more to being a leader than being decorated with awards.

As her personal mission, Kickbusch said, "Leadership is not about you. It is about the legacy we leave behind. We must plant the seed of tomorrow's leadership in our children today. We need to feed our youth positive nourishment such as mentoring, quality education, self-esteem, discipline and values. Only then will we be able to harvest a great next generation."

Kickbusch wrote her collection of experiences in a book titled Journey to the Future: A Roadmap for Success for Youth. The school purchased 300 of the books for its eighth graders but still needs an additional 80 books, which are $15 each. Please contact the school's GEAR UP coordinator Pileirol Retta or the principal Paula Sword at 713-740-0440 to help the school achieve its goal of making sure each student receives a book.